After Dumping the Scumbag Top, I Was Relentlessly Chased by a Top-Tier Idol - Chapter 29

Although he fell asleep quickly, Shen Xu’s rest was far from peaceful. The torrential rain outside seemed to leak directly into his dreams.

“Mom, take me out to play! I want to go to the amusement park. I want to ride the roller coaster, the pirate ship, and the giant pendulum…” Little Shen Xu tugged at a woman’s hand, excitedly rattling off a list of the most thrilling rides.

The woman knelt down, coaxing him gently, “Mommy is a bit tired these past few days. How about we go next time?”

She had been running around for work for several days, and this was a rare day of rest.

Hearing her words, the excitement on little Shen Xu’s face instantly froze. He jerked his hand away. “Next time, next time! It’s always next time. You never even know when ‘next time’ is. You’re just like Dad—all you do is lie to me. I’m not talking to either of you anymore!”

With that, he turned and ran upstairs, slamming his bedroom door with a thunderous bang.

Lying face-down on his bed, little Shen Xu schemed. This time, no matter what, he absolutely would not forgive his mother easily.

After a while, as expected, the woman tried to coax him using her usual methods:

“Baby, Mommy made your favorite little cakes. They’re exactly like the ones that handsome older brother gave you before.”

Little Shen Xu’s eyes lit up at the mention of the “handsome brother,” but he quickly buried his head back into his pillow.

Don’t think you can buy me off that easily!

“My darling son, Mommy brought back a gift for you. Do you want to come out and see?”

He remained unmoved.

“Xu’er, Mommy cut some fruit for you. You have to eat it to grow as tall as that handsome brother.”

Little Shen Xu glanced toward the door, then buried himself in the pillow once more.

The door was knocked on for what felt like the hundredth time. The woman’s tender voice drifted in from the hallway: “Xuxu? Open the door for Mommy. Let’s go to the amusement park.”

“You’re lying again!” little Shen Xu shouted crossly.

“Come out and see for yourself if Mommy is lying. I’ve already changed my clothes,” she replied, her voice remaining patient and gentle.

Little Shen Xu poked his head out from under the covers and looked at the door. After a moment of hesitation, he got up and opened it. Sure enough, the woman had changed into a white dress. She looked beautiful and elegant, a soft smile gracing her face. Seeing him come out, she bent down and pinched his cheek. “Good boy, don’t be mad at Mommy anymore, okay?”

With a proud, haughty toss of his head, little Shen Xu looked away. He stepped aside, crossed his arms, and declared, “If you pick out a matching parent-child outfit for me to wear with you, I might barely forgive you.”

The woman rubbed his head dotingly and took his hand, leading him back into the room. “Leave it to me.”

She took him to the walk-in closet and carefully selected several outfits for him to try on.

The moment he put on the first set, little Shen Xu couldn’t maintain his aloof facade any longer. He rushed out and pulled the woman to the mirror, shaking his head like a little adult. “This one won’t do. The red on the cuffs doesn’t match.”

He grabbed the next set and hurried back into the changing room.

“This part isn’t right.”

Change.

“That part is off.”

Change.

He repeated this over and over until the second-to-last outfit, only then feeling satisfied with his appearance.

The two of them walked out hand-in-hand. The driver pulled the car up to them, but the woman waved him away, indicating she would drive herself.

Little Shen Xu was so excited he skipped while holding her hand. “This way, the time belongs entirely to Mommy and me!” he shouted.

The woman nodded and playfully tapped the tip of his nose. “Let’s go. We’re off.”

The white sedan cruised leisurely down the empty road. Little Shen Xu’s favorite songs played on the radio, and he hummed along from time to time, his joy nearly overflowing the bounds of time itself.

But the beautiful scene suddenly twisted and warped.

Blinding crimson. The pungent stench of blood. The deafening blare of sirens and the incessant wail of an ambulance.

Little Shen Xu’s white outfit was soaked in the woman’s blood.

When the truck had veered toward them, the woman had not only desperately wrenched the steering wheel to the right but had also used her own body to shield him at the moment of impact.

The world seemed chaotic, with people rushing about in a frenzy. Yet, the world also felt eerily silent. Little Shen Xu saw their mouths moving, but he couldn’t hear a single sound.

He screamed frantically, “Mom! Mom!”

There was no response.

“Mom, I’m sorry…”

“Shen Xu?”

“Mom, I’m sorry, please talk to Xu’er…”

“Shen Xu?”

Lin Yizhou was jolted awake by Shen Xu’s movements. He didn’t know how long Shen Xu had been shaking, but when he woke and looked over, he saw the other man’s face covered in a cold sweat. His body was trembling uncontrollably, and he was rambling in his sleep.

Lin Yizhou called his name a few times, but Shen Xu showed no signs of waking. Instead, the trembling grew worse. Lin Yizhou had no choice but to pull him into a half-embrace to comfort him, gently patting his back. “It’s okay, it’s okay. It’s just a nightmare.”

“Mom…”

Muttering under his breath, Shen Xu slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was dazed and vacant, staring fixedly at the person in front of him as if trying to confirm something.

Lin Yizhou watched him, afraid to make a sudden move.

It felt like an eternity had passed, though it had only been about a minute. The corners of Shen Xu’s mouth curled up slightly as he reached out to touch Lin Yizhou’s face. “Brother Zhouzhou, you’re here.”

His movements were very slow, tracing the lines of Lin Yizhou’s face with care.

Lin Yizhou’s brow furrowed slightly.

After a moment, as if finally confirming he was real, Shen Xu slowly turned in his arms. He looked up at him face-to-face for a while before sitting up to meet his gaze.

Just as Lin Yizhou was about to speak, Shen Xu reached out again to cup his face. His other hand slid behind Lin Yizhou’s back, pulling him close. He rested his forehead against Lin’s shoulder, his nose grazing the crook of Lin’s neck. A warm breath brushed against his skin. “Brother Zhouzhou, stay with me a little longer today, okay?”

Lin Yizhou didn’t know what to make of this. He looked down at the man in his arms and realized something was wrong. Though Shen Xu’s eyes were open, they were still clouded and unfocused, as if he were still caught in a dream.

Just as Lin was about to push him away, a sharp, slight sting came from his neck—

Shen Xu had bitten him!

He pushed the man back and lightly tapped his cheek. “Shen Xu? Wake up!”

But Shen Xu seemed completely deaf to his voice. He clung to Lin again, wrapping both arms around his waist and locking him in a tight grip, as if terrified he would vanish.

“Brother Zhouzhou, you must be the angel my mother sent, right? Whenever I have a dream like that, you always appear.”

Shen Xu spoke against his neck, his lips lingering and pressing against the skin, his warm breath sparking a wave of itchiness.

Lin Yizhou’s body stiffened for a moment before he grabbed Shen Xu’s shoulders to pull him upright.

His eyes narrowed as he observed the expression on the other man’s face.

Is this guy really still dreaming?

Shen Xu frowned slightly, seemingly dissatisfied with being pushed away. He lunged forward, pinning Lin Yizhou down and resting his head on Lin’s chest. His voice was piteous. “Brother Zhouzhou, sleep with me tonight, okay?”

Lin Yizhou propped himself up on his elbows, trying to sit up, but the person on top of him pressed him down again. “Brother, be good, okay?”

The words were spoken calmly, but they carried a strange, commanding pressure.

Lin Yizhou glanced at him and stopped resisting.

Seeing him settle down, Shen Xu laid his head obediently on Lin’s chest, but soon lifted it again to look at him. It was just a glance—no other movement.

He repeated this several times.

It was as if… he were constantly checking to make sure Lin was still there.

Lin felt a sudden tug at his heartstrings.

He raised his hand and gently stroked Shen Xu’s head. Once, twice…

“Sleep peacefully. I’m not going anywhere.”

Shen Xu looked up at him again, a glimmer of hope appearing in his hazy eyes. “Really?”

“Really.”

“This is the first time you’ve ever said yes to me.” Shen Xu’s lips curled into a smile, as happy as a child. He finally settled comfortably against Lin and his breathing gradually became even…

Lin Yizhou stared at the top of the tent, which was rippling from the raindrops. He felt an inexplicable sense of peace and, without realizing it, drifted back to sleep.

This time, both of them slept soundly.

The night faded away amidst the sound of rain.

At his usual wake-up time, Lin Yizhou slowly regained consciousness.

Before opening his eyes, he heard the lingering patter of rain outside. When he finally looked, his pupils trembled and his body instantly went rigid.

The first thing he saw was Shen Xu’s enlarged, smiling face.

The sensory details of his own body position flooded back all at once—

His leg was draped over Shen Xu’s waist and thighs!

His arm was thrown across Shen Xu’s body!

His head was pillowed on Shen Xu’s shoulder!

He had blatantly been using Shen Xu as a human body pillow…

Shen Xu watched the subtle changes in his expression with an amused smile. He spoke nonchalantly, “Captain, since I’ve served as a human pillow all night, can I ask for a morning kiss?”

Before Lin Yizhou could react, Shen Xu grabbed Lin’s hand, pressed it to his own lips, and then tucked it against his cheek.

Having “successfully” obtained his kiss, the corners of Shen Xu’s eyes tilted upward, his gaze deep with laughter. His tone was lazy. “Thanks for the morning kiss, Captain.”

Lin Yizhou snapped out of his daze and quickly withdrew his hand, sitting up. A barely perceptible flush of embarrassment colored his face. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

Shen Xu also sat up, giving a slight, smiling shrug. “You weren’t in the way. You were just sleeping quietly while holding me. I should be the one thanking you; I slept very warmly last night.”

Lin Yizhou avoided his gaze and stood up to head outside. “I’m going to go ask the director what the plan is for today.”

But before he could take two steps, his wrist was caught.

Shen Xu’s eyes narrowed, his gaze falling on a red mark on Lin Yizhou’s neck. He tapped a corresponding spot on his own throat. “Captain, what happened here?”

Was that there when he came over last night? Did that bastard Jiang Siyuan do it?

His gaze gradually turned fierce…

Lin Yizhou touched his neck. The memory of Shen Xu biting him while leaning against him last night flashed through his mind. He said casually, “I got bitten by a mosquito last night.”

“Were there mosquitoes last night?”

“Yes,” Lin Yizhou said calmly. “In an environment like this, it’s inevitable.”

“Really?” Shen Xu sounded suspicious.

“Really.” Lin Yizhou remained composed. Seeing the grip on his wrist loosen slightly, he pulled his hand away. “I’m going to check with the director.”

Just as he broke free, he was grabbed again. Shen Xu flicked his own choker, a smirk playing on his lips. “Do you need one of these to cover it up, Captain?”

For a split second, as the choker was lifted, a faded, jagged scar was visible. Shock flashed through Lin Yizhou’s eyes. He pulled his hand back and said flatly, “No need.”

He turned and left the tent.

Shen Xu’s eyes followed him. He noticed that the “runaway” man’s earlobes were flushed red, the color spreading all the way down the back of his neck.

He got the feeling things weren’t as simple as they seemed…

The production crew thoughtfully prepared breakfast for the guests. After the meal, the team doctor came to check on the recovery of Shen Xu’s hand.

Following the doctor’s instructions, Shen Xu performed a few movements. Afterward, the doctor declared his hand was fine.

Lin Yizhou asked the doctor for a few Band-Aids to cover the red mark on his neck.

Seeing this, Pei Yutai asked worriedly, “Captain, what happened to your neck?”

Lin Yizhou remained calm. “A mosquito bite.”

“Were there mosquitoes?” Pei Yutai looked confused. “I slept like a log.”

Then he seemed to realize something and clapped his hands. “Oh, I get it! Captain, you must be one of those people who attract mosquitoes. Man, that’s tough.”

Lin Yizhou nodded impassively.

As time passed, the heavy rain showed no signs of stopping. In these conditions, returning to the jungle to continue filming was too dangerous.

Helplessly, the show’s official social media account announced: The scheduled outdoor survival broadcast is postponed until the rain stops.

Since they couldn’t go outside, the crew held an internal meeting and decided to arrange some online segments—individual livestreams for the guests.

Director Tu’s words were: “Each guest will host their own livestream. As long as the content isn’t illegal, you are free to choose and perform however you like. The guest with the highest popularity will receive a reward in the subsequent filming.”

The crew prepared separate tents for each guest so they could have their own space.

Lin Yizhou sat in his tent with his phone, pondering how to handle this broadcast.

The final prize of the show would be determined first by the audience choosing the two “Best Survival Guests,” and then the other guests would vote for the winner.

About eighty percent of the participants were celebrities. Even if some viewers watched for personal skills, the vast majority were fans of the stars. In a fan’s eyes, their idol was always the best.

Looking at the process, if he wanted the final prize money, he needed to gain more fans.

He usually didn’t know how to stand out during regular filming, so this individual livestream was undoubtedly an opportunity.

But he didn’t know what he could actually broadcast.

Besides, given his current reputation, would anyone even want to watch?

Before he could reach a conclusion, a staff member came by to remind him, “Teacher Lin, please get ready. The livestream channels are about to open.”

Following the final instructions, Lin Yizhou opened his livestream. He was slightly surprised to see the viewer count climbing rapidly, but as he read the scrolling comments, he understood the situation.

He didn’t have many fans, but there were plenty of netizens who wanted to see him make a fool of himself.

Here to see the ‘Vase’ embarrass himself. Eh? What’s wrong with the Vase’s neck? No one wants a broken vase. Other rooms are already heating up. What are you doing, Vase? Performing as a literal vase? This popularity… even the two non-celebrities aren’t this low. Tsk, does the Vase not plan on doing anything?

Lin Yizhou’s face remained calm as he focused on reading the comments. After a while, he finally spotted a suggestion: If the streamer doesn’t know what to do, how about reciting textbooks? I really want to know if you were bragging last time.

Lin Yizhou spoke: “I can recite texts. You can type the names of any ancient poems or prose from elementary to high school in the chat.”

As soon as he said this, netizens began typing names. Lin Yizhou fluently recited every single one of them.

That memory is actually kind of impressive… Enough, enough. Done showing off yet? Reciting textbooks makes you feel capable? Who watches a stream to hear schoolwork? Change the content. How about we ask questions and you answer?

Lin Yizhou glanced at the popularity of his room, stopped reciting, and said, “Ask away.”

How did you hook up with Song Chizheng back then? Why did you and CEO Song break up?

As expected, the chat was instantly flooded with questions regarding him and Song Chizheng.

If he answered these tricky, high-topic questions, his viewership and popularity would skyrocket.

But he didn’t want anything happening to him to be linked to Song Chizheng ever again—good or bad.

He chose to ignore those questions entirely.

The Vase is playing blind now. He won’t answer. Is it because he still hasn’t moved on? Why not act pitiful in the stream? Maybe then CEO Song will come take a look at you. Zhouzhou, ignore those crazies. Why don’t you sing? Shen Xu is singing in his stream.

Singing?

Lin Yizhou cleared his throat and picked the simplest song from his mental library. But before he could get through two lines, the comments began to scream:

We’re on your side! Please don’t open your mouth!!! Vase-bro, do you have any idea how bad you sing? No tune, no rhythm…

Lin Yizhou stopped singing and replied, “I know. It’s natural.”

He was born without a single musical cell in his body. It was so bad that back when he played the second male lead in the movie Rebirth from Death and became popular, the producers wanted him to sing the character’s theme song. They hired a professional music teacher specifically for him, but the teacher eventually ran out of patience and suggested the producers find a replacement singer.

Dance then! A handsome guy dancing must look great.

Seeing this comment, Lin Yizhou stood up and began stretching to prepare.

Looking at that stance, he definitely knows how to dance. Expectation!

The comments were full of anticipation, but as soon as Lin Yizhou started moving, the audience called for a stop.

Brother… were those limbs just installed? Are you still adjusting to the body? To be honest, the old folks I see doing physical therapy at the hospital are more flexible than him… God, look at those stiff movements. Is he a robot? Or a piece of junk that forgot to oil its joints!

Lin Yizhou diligently finished the entire dance. Sitting back down to read the mocking comments, he didn’t feel much frustration.

Or rather, he had experienced that feeling long ago.

Lin Yizhou explained calmly, “That is the only dance I know. I practiced it for over a month specifically for an audition for a dance-related role. I worked very hard… but the result was unsatisfactory.”

The comments were very similar to what the judges had said during that audition.

Bro, if you can’t do it, you don’t have to be this honest. We suggest something and you just do it… Lin Yizhou: A man who mainly takes advice. Takes advice my ass. It’s just because he’s a Vase who knows nothing, so he does whatever people say. Either way, the audience is the one getting traumatized. Actually, I think it’s good that he faces his shortcomings. And it feels like he’s being funny while remaining serious. Kind of cute.

While he was reading, a heavy-hitter gift effect suddenly appeared on the screen. A golden yacht sailed in from the distance, dazzling and radiant, accompanied by the prestigious VIP system announcement:

“Welcome ‘I’ll Give if I Want’ to the livestream. They have gifted a Super Deluxe Romantic Golden Yacht!”

Whoa, who’s dropping that much cash on the Vase? ‘I’ll Give if I Want’ (Xiang Song Jiu Song)… it couldn’t be you, right? Great CEO Song Chizheng?

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